4 New Airports Planned In Bengal As CM Adhikari Govt Signs MoU

The West Bengal government signed an agreement with the Airports Authority of India on Monday to develop four new airports in the state under the Union Civil Aviation Ministry’s UDAN 2.0 scheme. The new airports will be built in Purulia, Balurghat, Hasimara, and Kalaikunda. At a meeting at the state secretariat Nabanna, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) alongside the Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, senior officials of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, and other representatives.

The Union Minister’s presence at the signing ceremony highlighted the government’s commitment to expanding regional air connectivity in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision. The MoU will enable the state to benefit from UDAN’s inclusive air travel program for the next ten years.

During a subsequent press conference, Adhikari criticized the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) government for failing to provide land for new airport projects in the state. He pointed out that this inaction, along with the stalled progress on national highway and railway projects, had hampered the development of airport infrastructure. Adhikari also announced plans to establish a modern pilot training center at Behala in southwestern Kolkata.

The MoU further stipulates that the state government will provide land for the development of the airports, while the central government and the Airports Authority of India will oversee their construction. Additionally, Adhikari expressed his desire for enhanced air services connecting Kolkata with the UK and other European nations, as well as an increase in flights at Andal airport in Durgapur, from the Civil Aviation Minister.